Vacuum breaker valve



June 2o 195 M. CALLE@ 2,512,47@

VACUUM BREAKER VALVE Filed March 19, 1947 Patented June l20,1950

1 I p; o UNITED s'rA'r ses PATENT n j oI-.'FI-Csf f VACUUM Bananen VALVE Y' '5 i lvlodestoy Calleja; HNew .York,`.N. u Application March 179, 1947, Serial Np. 735,761 (CL/2774215' i' 5 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to Vacuum breaker valves, also known as back flow pre'- Venters, and, more particularly, to a vacuum breaker valve of improved construction which embodies a novel means for controlling uid flow.

In accordance with the invention the improved vacuum breaker valve is provided with a fluid flow controlling means having two parts which are relatively movable. An important advantage of this novel construction is that leakage oi liquid is prevented, while flow of a second fluid, air, for example is completely controlled. The improved valve of this invention may be installed, therefore, in any location without providing for liquid drainage.

An object of the invention is to provide an im# proved valve for the indicated purpose having fluid flow controlling means of novel design.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel slide valve in a vacuum breaker valve. A further object is to provide a vacuum breaker valve which is substantially silent in-operation.

Other and more specific objects of the invention will become apparent and suggest themselves to those skilled in the art to which the 'invention is directed upon reading the following specicatio'nand claims in connection ywiththe drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic View of a typical system in simplified form in which the device of this invention is to be used;

y Fig. 2 is a vertical section'through a vacuum breaker valve embodying the invention in one form, certain of the parts being in the position assumed when the inlet of the structure is closed;

Figs. 3 and 4 are views similar to Fig. 2, but

showing the iiuid flow controlling means in dif- -ferent positions assumed during operation of the device;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section on line `5--5 of Fig. 2; and

. Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 2, but showing a f irliodication.

Referring to the drawing, and for the present to Fig. 1, there is shown a simplified water distribution system in which a plurality of fixtures, such as a drinking fountain l2 and a tank I4 are ,located for example on different floors of a buildsing. The water supply ior these fixtures is provalve of this invention,` shown byV theidrawing's for providing flow -from theriser Ii'fto--th'e` inlet 25 to the tank. The inlet-to the `tank Iltis-shown s being below the level of the liquidi |-5=infthe ankz. In theuse'offa v'xture, such as isshow-n at I4, there isa possibility of wastev water vsuchas the liquid i5, being siphonedy from the xture into the riser'6-when a temporary vacuum `occurs in the latterfwith the undesirable result that-such wastewater maybe subsequently-conveyed to other xturestin the system. In order' to avoid this contingency, a vacuum breaker valve 'struc-l ture 28-isinterposed between theflXtu-rerlli and thevriser IE5. The operation of the-.vacuum breaker is such that when its uid ilow controlling means is operated bypressure .of the' water'iin fthe riser H5 a free ilow is permitted to connected fixturesvfor example, the xture14. IHowever., when the supply is shut off, or avacuum'occurs in theriser, the kfluid flow controlling rneans will operate to close communication between the fix'- ture'ancl the riser soA as to eliminate any .possibility/10i waste water in the nxturezbeingsyphon'ed back'intothe riser. Y The illustrative embodimentof. the improved is generally similar to the vacuum-breaker valve disclosedand claimed .in UnitedStates 'Patent No. 2,209,189, granted to the .present-:inventor July 23, 1940. Referring for the present to Figs. 2 and-5 ofthe drawings, the Yvacuum breaker 28 is seen to comprise la body made of principal sections `3I and 32'join'ed for conveniencein assembly of the parts by'a. screw threadedjconnection 34. madefluidtight inany desired manner. The part 31 Aisdiattened or given a hexagonal shapein cross-sectionat 36 to providea wrench connection andis threaded at its lower end 33 for cou,-

ypling to an inlet connection such, for example,

as the riser lliv in Fig. 1. A valveiseat 39 is provided at the inner end of lthe inlet 4| adapted for engagement with a cooperating inclined surface 43 on the uid flow controlmeans44 of the Iinvention, later to be described in detail. This engagement occurs when there is no fluid pressure Tin the inlet or when a temporary vacuum plunger separates from the seat 39. -ing operation is causedk eitherv by air or liquid Vacuum breakers heretofore known-y 3 subjected to pressure from the inlet 4l, communication between the opening 41 and the outlet 46 is cut off. Screw threads 48 provide for connection of an air pipe or other fitting. For example in Fig. 1, elbows 5I and 52 and a nipple 53 provide for an air inlet which opens downwardly.

A valve chamber 56 accommodates the previously mentioned means 44 which are slidable on bearingguides in the form of projections or elongatedns 58 formed in the innerwall of the valve chamber56. Three of these fins are present in the illustrative embodiment, but more may be formed in the wall of the part 32 which provides Athe valve chamber. Three ports Bl are provided, in effect, in the illustrated arrangement. y

The fluid control means 44 is a two part slide valve comprising a plunger 63 and a piston B4 telescoping with a sliding fit. Fig. 6 of the drawings, to be described hereinafter, shows a reversal of parts. The yplunger 63 is provided with the previously mentioned` valve surface 43 which seats on the valve seat 38 on the part 3l. The valve seat is flared at 65 where it joins the inner surface of the inlet-4l to assist the vfluid flow in raising the plunger B3. The tubular body 66 of the plunger is of such a length that there is` some appreciable clearance between the shoulder `68v and the end of the tubular body ll of the-piston. This clearance may be small and is illustrated in the drawing. The upper end of the piston is provided with -a small opening 12 to release any fluid such as air or water thereby to elimina-te any resistance lto the drop of the piston to the position shown in Fig. 2. The upper edge 13 of the tubular body 66 of the plunger is preferably rounded to provide a betterseal. The opening 'I2 may be omitted if the parts 63 and 64 have a veryloose t, but this is not preferred.

The upper end of the piston 64 is provided with a closing disk 'I4 of yieldable material, such as ber or rubber. In fact, the .disc 14 may be the same as the usual faucet washer and it is held in position by suitable means such as aiscrew. The disc 14 seats against thecircular valveseat i8 so as to close communication with theairinlet 4l when pressure exists in the :main .riser 1B.

From the foregoing description of the valve 28rofl theinvention taken in connection with explanation of the simplifieddistribution system ,of Fig. l it is believed that its-operation will be fully understood. However, to reviewthe opera.- -tion briefly the piston 64 moves to close the air inlet 41, also called the surge outlet, before- .the

This clospressure. leak at the air inlet 4l at a certain critical flow. In accordance with the invention this leakage is eliminated due to the closing of the piston 64 against the valve seat 18 before the plunger 83 leaves the valve seat 39. Fig. 3 of the draw.-

v-ing illustrates this position of the parts. Fig. 4

of the drawing shows the positionof the parts when Water, for example, in the distribution system -of Fig. l is flowing into the .tank L4.

Fig. 6 of thedrawing shows a. modification in which the piston 64a slides within the plunger 63a. The piston and plunger 64a and 63a of Fig. 6 are interchangeable in the valve 28 of Figs. 2 to 5 and it will be understood that the inclined valve surface 43a cooperates with the Valve seat 39. A closing disc 14a cooperates with the valve seat 18. An air hole 12a, performs the same function as the air hole 'I2 in the modification ofv the fluid owcontrol means of Figs. 2 to 5. The upper edge 8l of the tubular body 83 of the plunger 83a, is preferably rounded and seats against a flange 86 in the position of the parts corresponding to Fig. 2 or Fig. 4.

What is claimed is:

l. A vacuum breaker valve comprising a valve body having a valve chamber, a two part slide valve in said chamber, a uid inlet opening to said chamber, onev of said parts having means to close said fluid inlet opening, a fluid outlet opening in communication with. said valve chamber at all ,times, an atmospheric opening to said valve chamber, the other vof said parts having `means to close said opening, andina-ans to-relieve fluid pressure in said otherpart, said lastnained means being a wall of said other part having an opening.

2.*Fluid control means for a vacuum breaker valve comprising a plunger having a valve sur.- face, a tubular extension for said plunger, a piston having valve means for cooperation with a valve seat, and having a tubular body, the tubular extension of said plunger and the tubular body of said `piston having relative telescopic movement in operation of said fluid flow control means, the end of said plunger cooperating with a surface on said piston to. stop the vflow of fluid when said plunger and piston are fully telescoped.

3.- The fluid flow control means of claim 2 which the tubular body of said piston is provided Vwitha fluid escape opening.

The fluid flow control means of claim 2 in which said tubular extension ofisaid plunge;a is slidable Within the tubular body of said piston.

5. Fluid control means for a vacuum breaker valve comprising arrplungel', a tubular-.extension for said plunger, a piston having a tubular-body, the tubular extension of said plunger being `slidable within the tubular body of said piston,

and the end of said plunger cooperetingwith l surface on said piston to stop the flow of fluid whensald plunger and piston are fully telesoped.

ivlODESTCvl GALLEJC.

REFERENCES CTIED following references areof record inthe le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,259,984 Anderson 0011.21, 1941 2,282,188 Horne May 5. 1942 2,303,037 Fredrickson Nov. l24, 19.42

' FGREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 21,225 GreatBritain Oct. 20, 191e 

